About Sir Humphrey Stafford, III

The Stafford and Lovell rebellion was the first armed uprising against Henry VII after he won the crown at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. The uprising was led by Viscount Lovell and the Stafford brothers and occurred during Eastertime 1486. The conspirators against the King believed that there would be more opportunity for personal gain if they managed to restore the Yorkist monarchy. However, the uprising was a total disaster. On the 22 April 1486 Lord Lovell decided not to risk open rebellion and escaped to Burgundy; whilst the Stafford brothers had risen in rebellion in Worcester despite the fact that Henry had obtained mass support in that area. During this time Henry was in York on a nationwide tour of the country. As soon as he advanced toward Worcester, in order to eliminate any pro Yorkist support, which could be gained, the Stafford brothers fled into sanctuary.

Consequences

The King took immediate action, ordering the removal of the brothers from sanctuary. Henry then ordered the execution of Humphrey Stafford but pardoned the younger Thomas Stafford. The arrest prompted a series of protests toward Pope Innocent VIII about breaking sanctuary; this resulted in a Papal bull in August which severely limited the rights of sanctuary, excluding it completely in cases of treason, thereby vindicating the King's actions.